Prevalence of Prescription Drug Abuse: Data From the National Institute on Drug Abuse

Data from the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse & the Drug Abuse Warning Network were used to assess the current prevalence of prescription drug abuse & the consequences associated with such abuse. Continued reductions in the abuse of benzodiazepines were noted. Decreases were seen in all types of cases of drug abuse (suicides as well as street abuse). Data does not indicate whether the decrease in prescribing has had negative affects on patient care. (4 refs.)